“Cease weeping over the mistakes of yesterday and steadfastly holding the face of the great and divine Reality, walk in that Light wherein there is no darkness.” ~ Dr. Ernest Holmes

With this magnificent quote, Dr. Ernest Holmes in the Science of Mind philosophy, calls us to rise above our past and to envision a future that is filled with infinite possibility.

As we mourn the dead, once again, this time in Paris, we are pitched into sadness and even a sense of defeat. Humanity is at war with one another and we are hard pressed to see a way out. Yet, we are called to do just that.

We begin by honoring those who perished or were wounded in these attacks and their families, the first responders, and all others affected by these horrific acts.

Rather than re-hash what is usually said at times like this, let me speak to a greater future and a way forward. Of course we pray, but let us also act.

Let me call on everyone in our great organization to be truly of one mind in seeing the possibility of peace on our planet.

Let me call upon our ministers and practitioners to reach out to members of other faith traditions and to become spokespersons for peace, justice and harmony.

Let me call upon clergy in all faith traditions to speak out for peace – not to silence the oppressed, but to give them hope.

Let me call upon all those who comprise our news media to be attuned to the many efforts to seek harmony in this world, and not just to show carnage.

Let me call upon political leaders of all stripes to stop the discourse of partisanship and disharmony and to lead forcefully and directly toward a more peaceful planet.

Let me call upon those who take up arms against innocents in the name of their cause or deity to see a better way forward, and to be open to overtures of peace coming from within and beyond your own culture or faith tradition.

Finally, let me offer the services of our organization, the Centers for Spiritual Living, as impartial mediators to work with secular and religious parties anywhere to help bring resolutions to differences.

Let us each be willing to take the first step toward peaceful resolution. Let us be willing to truly listen to the grievances of the other and to open our hearts to a greater possibility, as our founder Ernest Holmes called us to do. Let us do what is best for our children and their children. Let us begin right now.